I have gotten conflicting results from a couple of sources when I ask about setting an ARB front locker. The question is do I need a case spreader or not. Some say that I will, some say that i will not. But none of them have set one in the front diff. so this question goes out to the people who have set on in a first gen.

When I did mine I didn't use a spreader. It's tight but it slides out and slides back in. When putting it in it's easiest to put it in then lightly tap the largest shim spacer into place. Its tight by design to preload the bearings for no side play.

There's supposed to be some sort of interference fit, for carrier bearing preload. It's not just supposed to slip in.

Getting it to the point of a snug fit and adding .007" on each side with the use of spreader is easy enough. But hammering it home, there's some satisfaction in that!

Now I just need to decide if I want to make a spreader or not, What makes the decision hard is there is a local guy that rebuilds 300z rear ends on the side (Nissan Tech) so I may just have him set it in a spare diff that I have. So many options...

The trouble to make one vs. having someone set it in there for a small fee, even I'd go with a small fee. Especially if I'm not going to keep doing it.

Now if it's something that you're going to continue to do, then a spreader is nice.

When I installed my LSD I did it with a hammer and a drift on the big shims, as suggested above. No big deal, been wheeling on it for years...

The nice thing about the front is that it doesn't get many miles.... so it doesn't need to be as perfect as the rear.

On my D44 we just used a hammer.